This study evaluated the successful establishment of sponge gourds (Luffa cylindrica) through direct seeding under open-field conditions in a subtropical climate in Mexico. Three experimental sites, E1, E2, and E3, located in different rural communities with distinct altitudes and soil types (Luvisol and Andosol) were evaluated. E1 was enhanced with an organo-mineral substrate (SOM), while E2 and E3 served as controls without SOM application. Seeds from a single fruit were used for planting following standardized cultivation practices. Each experimental plot contained a total of 10 plants arranged in 10 rows with one plant per row. Yield variables, such as fruit count, length, diameter, weight, and seed quantity, were measured. E-1 exhibited superior growth, yielding 5–20 fruits per plant, with lengths of 9–15 cm, diameters up to 6.2 cm, and weights reaching 370 g, significantly surpassing E-2 and E-3. Kruskal-Wallis tests confirmed significant differences among the plots, indicating that seed germination enhanced by SOM in E-1 promoted improved growth characteristics. The production cost per fruit was $8.40 MXN in E-1, compared to $12.70 in E-2, and $13.60 MXN in E-3. These results support sponge gourds as a viable crop option for small- and medium-scale farmers in subtropical areas, offering both economic and environmental benefits.

This study proposes an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) to optimize the workstation layout in multi-product handcrafted furniture workshops with simultaneous manufacturing. The algorithm models the arrangement of workstations within a limited space, enhancing activity coordination and reducing unnecessary worker movement. The optimized solution is obtained through the application of evolutionary operators, including selection, crossover, mutation, and refinement, iterating over successive generations. To evaluate the EA’s performance, a computational simulation is conducted using ProModel^®, comparing its efficiency against conventional methodologies such as Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) and the CRAFT algorithm. In a case study involving the simultaneous elaboration of three different products, each by a different artisan, the EA successfully reduces the total worker travel distance by 51.45% and the system’s total processing time by 13.2%. The results indicate that the proposed approach not only enhances operational efficiency in a smaller environment but also lays the groundwork for integrating advanced strategies. These include cellular manufacturing and hybrid production schemes, ultimately enhancing flexibility and sustainability in this sector.